Where is the Spiritual Fruit? 3-6-26

This message a follow up from yesterday’s message about “Jumping Ahead of God.” Those who don’t bear fruit are similar to people who are not saved. They are carnal; acting like people of the world.

We are to be careful when it comes to judging others  “Judge not, that you be not judged. 

For what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.  And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?  

Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye;’ and look, a plank is in your own eye?”  Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye (Matthew 7:1-5).

However, we must also be discerning- But solid food belongs to those who are of full age (mature), that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil (Hebrews 5:14).

I have become a fool in boasting; you have compelled me. For I ought to have been commended by you; for in nothing was I behind the most eminent apostles, though I am nothing. Truly the signs of an apostle were accomplished among you with all perseverance, in signs and wonders and mighty deeds (2 Corinthians 12:11-12).

Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray and continued all night in prayer to God.  And when it was day, He called His disciples to Himself; and from them He chose twelve whom He also named apostles (Luke 6:12-13).

The characteristic of an apostle and any other Christians is to bear fruit (John 15:1-8). There are some who do bear fruit and some others who don’t. Again, we see evidence in churches today, through television, the internet, social media and so on.

What kind of fruit is revealed if the preachers are milking from the congregation? (Trying to gain more from the people).  What kind of fruit is revealed if the preacher is playing on peoples’ emotions?

What kind of fruit is revealed if when the preacher is not studying and rightly dividing the Word of truth, and feeding people dessert that causes them to ne malnourished?

What about shearing sheep in the winter (when it’s cold)?

They suffer and it causes hypothermia. I wonder how some of these leaders feel if the shoe was on the other foot. It has been said from different pulpits that sheep are dumb; if that is true why is their innocence and ignorance being taken advantage of? That certainly is evident of someone with bad fruit.

My prayer is for those who saved and got off track, will repent and get back in fellowship with God our Father. As far as those false whether it be an apostle, a prophet, pastor  and so on. I also pray for those who are following such falsity to study the Word of God (2 Timothy 2:15) for yourselves to see if what they are saying is true (Acts 17:11).

Finally, Shepherd the flock of God, which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away (1 Peter 5:2-4).

Betty A. Burnett ~ burnettministries.org